Master’s Degrees in Australia: Guide for Indian Students

A master’s degree – the first level of postgraduate study after a bachelor’s – is an excellent way to accelerate your career or to continue your academic education towards a PhD. As a master’s student in Australia, you can expand your professional network, unlock doors to new opportunities, and be a lifelong learner in your particular field.

Australian universities offer diverse master’s degrees, designed to support your career development so you can become a leader in your recognised field. With access to world-class facilities and a network of mentors, your master’s degree in Australia can prepare you to face the next steps in your career with confidence.

In this blog, we look at the types of master’s degrees offered in Australia, top universities for postgraduate qualifications, and the expenses associated with your studies. We also provide important information on master’s scholarships that you can apply for as an Indian student to help you in your postgraduate studies. Let’s start by exploring the top reasons many international students choose to do a master’s in Australia.

Why choose to study a master’s degree in Australia?

Currently, nearly 800,000 international students are studying in Australia at varying study levels, and Indian students accounted for 17% of this number in 2024. India is the second largest source country for international students in Australia, and here are a few reasons why the country is so beloved by Indian master’s students:

• High employment rates and salaries for master’s graduates – Australia’s Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching’s (QILT) 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey shows that 93.9% of coursework postgraduates are employed (vs. 88.9% of undergraduates), and that 90.3% of coursework postgraduates have full-time employment (compared to 79% of undergraduates). Master’s graduates can also access higher salaries in Australia, as the average postgraduate increases their pay by 36% within just three years of graduating. By pursuing a master’s degree in Australia, you can plan to advance in your career and increase your earning potential after graduation.
• High quality of research – Approximately 90% of Australian research is rated at or above world standard, and the country ranks in the world’s top 1% in 15 fields of research like space science, physics, computer science, and clinical medicine. If you choose to pursue a postgraduate research degree, you will get the chance to work alongside some of the world’s most accomplished academics, access high-calibre facilities, and receive strong support for future employment opportunities.
• Strict quality standards for education – Every course offered to international students by an Australian educational institute is required to meet the Australian government’s strict quality standards, accreditation, and requirements for delivery. In addition to this, the government helps you receive a high-quality education in a safe and fair environment through the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act).
• Dedicated support for international students – Australian universities have committed support staff, known as international student advisors, to address the needs of international students around the clock. You can also reach out to international student centres and 24-hour phone lines in most cities and towns for free support services like counselling and legal advice.
• Friendly and welcoming Australian culture – As almost a third of the Australian population was born overseas and 23% speak a language other than English at home, you will also be joining a diverse community wherever you choose to study in Australia. This multicultural environment, combined with Australia’s easy-going lifestyle, will help you settle into your new student life quickly.

Australia also offers a number of flexible study options for master’s students, allowing you to pick the curriculum and learning style that suits you best. We explore the different types of master’s degrees next.

Types of master’s degrees in Australia

A master’s degree generally lasts one to two years and involves exploring complex topics and questions in your field of study. Depending on your future goals, you can choose to study one of the following three types of master’s qualifications in Australia:

• Master’s degree (research) – A master’s by research degree allows you to produce research or add new knowledge in your field. As part of your course, you’ll be required to complete a large project or a thesis of 20,000 to 40,000 words.
• Master’s degree (coursework) – A master’s by coursework degree allows you to focus on professional practice or your academic field of study. As part of your studies, you may be required to complete a large project or a minor thesis of 12,000 to 20,000 words.
• Master’s degree (extended) – An extended master’s degree allows you to focus on professional practice. You may be required to complete a large project or a thesis of 12,000 to 20,000 words to obtain your qualification.

The main difference between a postgraduate coursework degree and a postgraduate research degree is the level of independent work. The former involves structured classes, assignments, and exams with some research components, while the latter has minimal classroom time so you can concentrate on conducting original research under supervision. When selecting the best qualification for your needs, you must consider your:

• Academic and career goals – If you’re interested in climbing the career ladder in your field, then a coursework degree would suit you best. Alternatively, if you’re passionate about academia and contributing to new developments in your field, then you can choose to pursue a research degree.
• Time commitments and finances – Coursework degrees may offer flexible study options, accommodating students who wish to balance their studies with work or family commitments. They may also be less costly than research degrees as they’re shorter in duration.

Once you’ve decided on the type of master’s degree you wish to pursue, you can narrow down the universities you wish to apply to and start your applications.

Top universities for a master’s in Australia for Indian students

Australia is home to nine of the world’s top 100 universities, demonstrating its commitment to offering high-quality education to students. We have highlighted some of the most popular universities for Indian students in the table below, along with the average annual tuition fees for a master’s degree.

In addition to these 10 universities, Australia is home to a great number of universities providing recognised degrees for master’s students. If you’re exploring universities at the moment, here are some questions to ask yourself when creating your shortlist:

• What area of study is the university known for?
• What do the university’s QILT indicators reveal about student experience and quality of teaching?
• What kind of work experience opportunities does the university provide?
• What’s student life and campus culture like?

Different Australian universities have different areas of expertise, depending on the specialisation you would like to follow. Consider universities which can give you the specific facilities needed for your success. We will be exploring these in more detail next.

Popular master’s specialisations in Australia for Indian students

Australian master’s degrees provide many opportunities for specialisations, so you can master your craft in your niche interest areas. Here are some of the most popular specialisations in Australia for Indian students:

Another important step of your application process to a master’s degree in Australia is understanding the admissions requirements and ensuring you meet them. We will be taking a closer look at these in the next section.

Admissions requirements for Indian students to study a master’s in Australia

To be accepted for a master’s degree in Australia, international students must meet certain entry requirements. This includes satisfying criteria such as:

• Undergraduate qualification (or its equivalent) from a recognised institution
• English language proficiency scores from IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or CAE generally
• Degree-specific requirements like interviews, portfolios, and supplementary tests
• Master’s by research courses generally require students to determine their research topic and supervisor, and submit a research proposal as part of their application

If you require additional support in understanding the entry requirements for your preferred master’s degree, our experts at StudyIn can help. We also offer advice on the expenses involved for a degree in Australia – we’ll be covering this in more detail in the next section.

Funds required to study a master’s degree in Australia

The expenses associated with your master’s in Australia are usually classified under three main categories: your pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees, and your living expenses.

Your living expenses will vary depending on your location in Australia and your lifestyle, while your tuition fees depend on the university you select for your programme. Your pre-arrival costs generally include the visa application fee and the health insurance coverage you have to pay before coming into Australia.

Pre-arrival expenses to Australia

Your pre-departure preparations include a number of expenses, mostly related to your Student visa. To obtain your Student visa, you must pay an application fee of AUD 2,000. In addition to this, you’ll likely be required to pay a fee to obtain your police certificates and give your biometrics to a visa centre.

Your visa application also requires you to declare the minimum living costs needed for your stay in Australia, and pay for your health insurance, which typically costs AUD 478 per year for a single coverage.

Tuition fees for a master’s degree in Australia

Your tuition fees in Australia will vary depending on your university and your level of study. In general, a master’s degree will cost between AUD 22,000 and AUD 50,000 per year.

Cost of living in Australia for master’s students

Gathering information about your potential living expenses is an important part of preparing for your student life in Australia. Depending on the region you’re studying in, your cost of living will vary. For instance, most smaller cities have relatively affordable rental accommodation, transport, and entertainment options. We’ve outlined an estimate for rent, utilities and internet, food and groceries, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs for each city in the table below:

Source: Numbeo

You can get funding support to manage some of these expenses with a scholarship to Australia. Let’s look at some master’s scholarships in Australia that you can apply for as an Indian student next.

Scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia

A scholarship can help you focus on your coursework without worrying too much about the expenses involved. The Australian government, Australian universities, and private entities provide a range of scholarships for Indian students planning to study in Australia.

Here’s a list of top master’s scholarships in Australia specifically for Indian students:

To be eligible for a master’s scholarship in Australia, you must demonstrate outstanding work experience, have an impressive academic record, and often show proof of volunteering and/or community service activities. Once you obtain a scholarship, it can help you focus on your studies without worrying too much about the expenses involved and increase your employability by introducing you to valuable scholarship alumni networks.

Next, let’s have a look at how you can obtain a post-study work permit in Australia.

Post-master’s work permit in Australia for Indian students

Once you’ve obtained your master’s qualification in Australia, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which gives you the right to live, study, and work in the country for up to three years. You can include members of your family when you apply for this visa.

Here are the steps to follow when applying for a Temporary Graduate visa after your master’s in Australia:

• Once your university has confirmed that you’ve successfully completed your master’s degree, start preparing to apply for your Temporary Graduate visa. You can do this by ensuring you have a valid passport, organising any necessary health exams, and reaching out to migration experts like lawyers or agents ahead of time.
• Prepare the documents you need to submit with your visa application.
• Apply for the visa online, through your ImmiAccount.
• After submitting your application, respond to any queries for additional information promptly by regularly logging into your ImmiAccount to check for messages from the Home Affairs Department.

The Temporary Graduate visa allows coursework and extended master’s students to stay up to two years after completing their studies. Research master’s students can stay up to three years on this visa.

Learn more about other types of work visas in Australia here. Next, let’s have a look at the many lucrative career opportunities in Australia for master’s graduates, so you can plan your studies according to your interests and career aspirations.

Career prospects for master’s graduates in Australia

When deciding on your career after your master’s degree, a good starting point is to reflect on your areas of expertise, explore your personal interests, and think about your interpersonal skills that can add value to any role in your industry. Let’s now have a look at various industries in Australia hiring master’s graduates, along with prospective Australian employers and average salaries for each.

Australia is home to many high-ranking universities which offer rigorous academic standards for master’s students, but sifting through the choices and finetuning your applications can sometimes be a difficult task. Read on to understand how we can help you enter your dream master’s degree in Australia.

Steps to study in Australia with StudyIn

Diverse courses, quality education, and globally recognised qualifications make Australia a top destination for Indian students seeking a world class master’s degree. If you’re planning to study in Australia, you can follow the following list of steps to ensure you obtain admission into the master’s course you’re passionate about and to have a smooth visa process.

• Step 1 – Choose your study area and course
• Step 2 – Choose your university
• Step 3 – Plan your budget
• Step 4 – Prepare your student visa application
• Step 5 – Get ready to arrive in Australia and start your studies

StudyIn experts can guide you through each step of your journey to Australia, including by giving you personalised advice on course selection and finances. Contact us today to clear your doubts about studying in Australia as an Indian student.

FAQs

How much does it cost for Indian students to do a master’s in Australia?

In general, a master’s degree will cost between AUD 22,000 and AUD 50,000 per year, depending on the course you’re following and the university you choose. You’ll also have to account for living expenses, which ranges from AUD 2,500 to AUD 4,000 depending on the region of Australia you’re in.

Is Australia worth it for a master’s degree?

Australia is a great choice for many international students interested in pursuing a master’s degree as it’s home to world-class opportunities and renowned research opportunities. After completing your master’s degree, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa, which allows you to stay in Australia for up to three years to gain valuable work experience.

How many years is a master’s degree in Australia?

A master’s degree in Australia generally lasts between two to three years.